Remote-control system



Feb. l0, 1931. Q E, STEWART 1,792,256

REMOTE CONTROL SYS TEM Filed May 51, 1927 Clyde E Sewart;

b9 Mfg His Attorney.

15 mitted through individual se 45 various relays involved. Stil Patented Feb. 10,1931

f jUmTEDsTATEsPATENT OFFICE 'y CLYDE E. STEWART, F SCHENECTADY, NEW AYOBX,v ABSIG'NOB T0 GENERAL ELECTRIC i COMPANY,-A CORPORATION 0F NEW 'YORK REMOTE-CONTROL SYSTEM 'application mea my s1, 1927. serial '110. 195,887.

My invention lrelates to remote control systems, and more particularly to systems of the type in which synchronous rotary distributor switches are employed for periodically and 5 successively interconnecting a plurality of control circuits at the operators station with corresponding circuits atthe remote station. 'Due to the multiplicity of functions which are generally desired to be performed bycurv rent impulses transmitted thr'ou h these switches and to the practical limitatlons upon the number of` contact segments which may be employed in their construction it is of great 'importance that each impulse transents of these switches shall be utilized to t e greatest possible advantage at\the remote station.

To the end of increasing the number of functions which may be performed with a given number of current impulses from a controlling station and, in general, to facilitate and to render more automatic the operation of devices at a remote point, the purpose of v my invention is to provide means whereby a device at the remote station, such, for example, as a motor utilized for the pur se of actuating the movable arm of an ad]ustable 'rheostat, may beenergized and actuated over a definite interval and then be deenergized responsivelyy to a single current impulse.

While I contemplate the use of my invention particularly in systems in which the current impulses are transmitted through distributor switches as indicated above, it will, of course,

l:als be apparent that it is not limited thereto.

With means of this kind I am enabled to vary the resistance of an adjustable rheostat, for example, at the remote point by single successive increments in response to a single cur- .40 rent impulse. A further purpose of the invention 1s to provide means whereb this may be accomplished substantially in ependently of the duration of the current impulse, or of the time required, for the olperation of the another purpose of myI invention is to provide means whereby the above purpose maybe accomplished in a reliable and satisfactory manner and without annoyance to the operator. The novel features of my invention will be set forth in the appended claims. My invention itself, however both as to its organization and method of operation to ether with further objects and advantages t ereof ma best be understood by reference to the fo lowing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which the sin-v gle fi ure represents an embodiment vofmy inven ion.

Referring to the drawing, A represents a controlling station and B a remote station, these stations being interconnected by means of conductors 3 and 4. The conductor v3 isl connected to the collector ring 5 of the distributor switch 1 at the controlling station u' and to the collectorring 6 of the distributor switch 2 at the remote station. These distributor switches, which arepfrthe usual type employed in connection lwith remote control apparatus and particularly with remote control apparatus of the su rvisory type, are each provided with a p urality of contact segments and a movable arm by means of which each of these contact se ents are periodically connected to the co lector rings 5 and 6 and interconnecting conductor 3. At the controlling station each of the contact. segments of the distributor switch 1 are connected to individual control circuits which are adapted to be closed by the operator for 1 the purpose of transmitting a current impulse to t corresponding contact ysegments of the distributor switch are simultaneously connected to corresponding current responsive means f which are adapted to perform the operation desired by the operator. Y l At the controlling station A, are located two contro switches 11 and 14, each of which isprovided with a pair ofcontrol contacts f e remote station.` At the remot'e station v l and 13, respectively, and a pair of indicating contacts 19 and 2O respectively. Each of these switches is also provided with a movable member 22, 23 respectively, which when I 4switches 1 and 2 simultaneously engaging actuated to the right by the operator presses both pairs of contacts into engagement. When the member 22 of switch 11 has been actuated thesource of potential 7 will be connected in circuit with conductor 4, actuating coil of relay 8, conductor 9, contacts 1() or switch 11 and segment 12 of distributor switch 1. Consequently when the circuit is closed by the movable arms of the distributor,

contact segments 12 and 33, current will flow from the segment 12 through the movable arm of the distributor switch 1 to the lcollector ring 5, conductor 3,` collector ring 6,

movable arm and contact segment 33 of distributor switch 2, conductor 48, actuating coil of the polarized relay 31, conductor 49 and conductor 4 to the opposite side of thc source of p tential 7. The relay 8 will then be actuated o its closed position thereby com pleting a circuitl from one side of the source lof potential 7 through the actuating coil of the relay 8,' conductor 21, indicating device 16, contacts 19 of the switch 11, and conductor 18 to the'opposite side of the source of potential 7. The indicating device 16, which may preferably be a lamp will then be energized indicating to the operator that a current impulsehas been transmitted.

Likewise if the member 23 of the control switch 14 has been actuated to the right the source of potential '7 will be connected through the actuating coil of the relay 8,"conductor 9, control contacts 13 of the switch 14 to the contact segment. 15 of the distributor switch 1, and thence through the movable arm and collector ring 5 of this switch, con- 'ductor'3, collector ring 6, movable arm and Contact segment 34 of the distributor switch 2, conductor 51, actuating coil 'of the polarized relay 32, conductor 49 and conductor 4 to the opposite side of the source of potential 7. Thus'when the movable arms'of the distributor switches 1 and 2 simultaneously engage the contact segments 15 and 34 respectively current will iow in this circuit and the relay 8 will be actuated to its closed pbsition thereby completing a circuit from split Afield reversing motor, or other electrocessive increments.

ing mechanism 30. In controlling the rheostat 24 it is necessary that the electroresponsive device 29 -be energized over an interval suiicient to move the arm 27 from one contact segment 26 .to another thereby varying the resistance of the rheostat through single suc- The contacts 26 are spaced at equal distances apart such that energization of" the Vmotor 29' for equal intervals of time will always move the contact arm 27 fromgone contact 26 to the next succeeding contact. To accomplish this in response to a single current impulse transmitted through the distributor switches polarized relays 31 andI 32 at the station B are connected as above described. Each of the relays 31 and 32 are of the position type, that is, they remain in the position to' which they are last actuated. The polarized relay 31 is provided with contacts 33 and 34 which are adapted for engagement when the relay has been moved to its upper position as in response to a current impulsev received through the distributor switches from the source of potential 7. In this position a cir' cuit will be closed leading from one side of the source of potential 35 through the conductor 36, contacts 33 of the polarized relay 31, conductor 59, actuating coil of the relay' 37, conductor 38, source of potential 39 and thence through the conductor 40 to the opposite side of the source of potential 35. This will yactuate the relay 37 to its closed position. In this position a circuitwill be closed from one side of the source of potential 35 through conductor 36, contacts of the relay 37 actuating coil of the relay 41, conductor 38, source of potential 39, and conductor 40 to the opposite side of the source of potential 35. The relay 41 will then be actuated to its closed position thereby closing a circuit leading from the positive side of the source of potential 39 through the conductors 38, 42, 43, field winding 44 and armature of the electroresponsive means 29, conductor 45, conductor 36, source of potential 35 and conductor 40 to the negative side of the source of potential 39.' At the same time acircuit will be closed leading from the positive side of the source of potential 39 through conductors 38, 42, contacts of the relay 41, conductor 43, resistance 46, conductor 47 contacts 34 to the polarized relay 31, conductor 48, actuating coil of the relay4 31, conductor 49 to the negative side of the source of potential 39. By this time the movable element of the distribution switches 1 and 2 will havev moved oil the contacts 12 and d v 32 respectively and the current impulse from -the transmitting station will be interrupted.

operated back to its normal position which is shown in the drawing, thereby disengaging the contacts 33 and 34 and deenergizing the relays 37 and 41.

The relay 4l is of the type which is adapted for instantaneous operation to its closed position but which is provided with a time delay means 50 for retaining it in that position after its actuating coil has become deenergized for a definite intervaldetermined by the time delay means 50. Thus when the relay 41 is actuated to its closed position the electroresponsive means 29 will be energized through its field coil 44 and the movable conm tact 27 will be actuated in a. direction determined by the coil 44. The time delay means 50 will be so adjusted that the relay 41 will remain closed and the electroresponsive means 29 will be energized for an interval sufficient to move the element 27 from one contact 26 to the next succeeding contact. The relay 41 will then open its contacts and the motor 29 will be deenergized and stop ed.

Tf it be desired to move the arm 2 in the opposite direction from that in which it was actuated above the movable member 23 of the control switch 14 will be actuated thereby sending a current impulse through contact segments 15 and 34 of the distributor switches 1 and 2 respectively and through the actuating winding of the polarized relay 32, thereby actuating this relay to its operative position. In this position a circuit will be closed from one side of the source of potential 35 through conductor 36, upper contacts 52 of the relay 32, actuating coil of the relay 53, source of potential 39, and conductor to the opposite side ofthe source of potential 35. The relay 53 will then be moved to its closed position thereby energizing a circuit leading from one side of the source of potential 35 through conductor 36, contacts of the relay 53, actuating coil of the relay 54, conductors 42, 38, source of potential 39 and conductor 40 to the opposite side of the source of potential 35. The relay 54 will then be moved to its closed position, thereby energizing the circuit leading from the positive side of the source of potential 39 through conductors 38, 42, contacts of the relay 54, Held winding 55 and armature of the electroresponsive device 29, conductors 45, 36, source of potential 35 and conductor 40 to the negative side of the source of potential 39. Simultaneously a circuit will be closed leading from the positive side of the source of potential 39 through conductors 38, 42, contacts of the relay 54, resistance 56, lower contacts 57 and actuating winding of the relay 32,

\ co-nductor 49 to the negative side of the source of potential 39. Thus current will flow through the actuating winding of the relay 32 in a direction opposite to that received from the controlling station and this relay will be restored to its normal position, as

shown in the drawing, thereby deenergizing the relays 53 and 54. As has been previously explained in connection with relay 41, relay 54 will remain in its closed position until the electroresponsive means 29, which is now enpress the control member 22 until a glow ap-.

pears in the lamp 16, or if he desires to decrease thisv resistance he will press the member 23 until a glow appears in the lamp 17, the remaining portion of the operations being affected automatically by the apparatus described at the remote station.

In the practical operation of the distributor switches 1 and 2 the length of the impulses transmitted therethrough is generally in the neighborhood of a tenth of a second. The polarized relays 31 and 32 are, therefore, quick acting relays which may be operated on a comparatively small current. Since these are position relays, the relays 41 and 54, which are operated responsively thereto,

Amay be of any convenient construction, since a delay in the closing of these relays will not affect the operation of the electroresponsive means 29. This results from the fact which has already been noted that siinultaneously with the initial energization of the electroresponsive means 29 the polarized relay 3l, or 32, as the case may be, is restored to its normal position, thereby deenergizing` the relay 41, or 54, and leaving the control of the electroresponsive means 29 subject only to the time delay device 50, or 58. Thus by properly adjusting these devices the contact arm 27 may be moved through any desired distance in either direction independently of the duration of the current impulse received from the transmitting station and independently of the time required for the operation of the various relays involved.

While l have shown and described a particular embodiment of my invention, it will, of course, be understood that l do not wish to be limited thereto since many modifications both in the circuitarrangement and in the instrumentalities employed may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention as set forth in the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent vof the United States is 1. In a remote control system, a controlling station, a remote station, means for communieating a current impulse from said controlling station to said remote station, a device at said remote station adapted to be actuated o ver a predetermined space interval, means in said remote station operable in response to said current impulse, driving means for said device, and means responsive to operation of said impulse responsive means for energizing said driving means for a predetermined interval 'and operable independently of the actuation of said driving means. to restore said impulse responsive me-ans to its unoperated condition.

2. In a' remote control system, a controlling station, a remote station, means for periodically connecting said controlling station with said remote station, means at said controlling station for transmitting a current impulse to said remote station through saidy connecting means, means for indicating When said current impulse has been transmitted, a device at said remote station adapted to be actuated over a predetermined interval, means operable responsively to said current impulse received from said controlling station, driving means for said device, means controlled by said impulse responsive means for energizing said driving means for a predetermined interval, and for returning said impulse responsive means to its unoperated condition independently of the actuation of said device.

3. In a remote control system, a'controlling station, aremote station, means for communieating current impulses from said controlling station to said remote station, a device at said remote station adapted to be actuated over a substantially definite interval, an electroresponsive means for actuating said device, means operable responsively to a current impulse received from said operators station, a second means responsive to said last` means for energizing said electroresponsive means and for restoring said last means to its unoperated condition after said electroresponsive means has, been energized, and time responsive means for maintaining the energization of said electroresponsive means during said interval.

4. In a remotecontrol system, 'a controlling station, a remote station, means for connecting said controlling station with said remote station, means for transmitting a current impulse from said controlling station to said remote station through said connecting means, a device at said remote station adapted to be actuated over a substantially delinte interval, means for actuating said device, means adapted to be energized responsively to said current impulse for operating said actuating means, means responsive to the energization of said current impulse responsive means for effecting the deenergization thereof after substantially initial operation of said actuating means, and time responsive t means for maintaining the operation of said' actuating means over said interval. A 5. In a remote control system, a controlling station, a remote station, means for communicating current impulses from said controlling station to said remote station, a devlce at said remote station adapted to be actuated by successive intervals in either direction, a plurality of means operable responsively to current impulses received from said controlling station, means operable responsively to operation of one of said current responsive means for actuating said device over an interval in one direction, means operable responsive to operation of another of said current responsive means for actuatingV said device over an interval in the opposite direction both of said actuating means being adapted to restore said irst means to its initial position upon substantially initial actuation of said device.

6. In a remote control system, a controlling station, a remote station, means for communicating current impulses from said controlling station to said remote station, a device at said remote station adapted to be actuated by successive intervals in either direction, a plurality of means operable responsively to current impulses received from said controlling station, means adapted to be energized responsively to operation of one of said current responsive means for actuating said device over an interval in one direction, means adapted to be energized responsively to operation of another of said current responsive means for actuating said device over an interval in the opposite direction, both of said actuating means being adapted to be deenergized upon substantially initial actuation of said device.

7. In a remote control system, a controlling station, a remote station, means for communicating current impulses from said controlling station to said remote station, a device at said remote station ada ted to be actuated over a substantially de nite interval, electroresponsive means for actuating said means, a position relay adapted to be actuated to one position responsively to currents of the character received from said controlling station and to a second position responsively to currents of a second character, a second relay operable responsively to actuation of said position relay to said first position to energize said electroresponsive means and to supply currents of said second character` to said position relay and means for maintaining the energization of said electroresponsive means until said device has been actuated over said interval.

8. In a remote control system, a controlling station, a remote station, means for communieating current impulses from said controlling station to said remote station, means adapted to be actuated over a substantially definite interval at said remote station, electroresponsive means for actuating said means, a position relay adapted to be actuated to one position responsively to currents ofthe character received from said controlling station and to a second position responsively to currents of a second character, a second relay operable responsively to actuation of said position relay to said first position to energize said electroresponsive means and to supply currents ,of said second character to said position relay and time relay in its operated position until said device has been actuated over said interval. v

In Witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 28th day of May, 1927.

CLYDE E. STEWART.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No. 1,792,256. Granted February l0, 1931, to

CLYDE E.- STEWART.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 5, line 7, claim 8, after the word "time" insert responsive means for retaining said second; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

lSigned and sealed this 24th day of March, A. D. 1931.

M. J. Moore,

(Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

